Simon Maltman Blogs

I’m pleased to share about my new book release,  along with an album of music.  Here’s all the blurby stuff! - Book & Album    Short Grift  In the world of the Short Grift, the plans are desperate, the criminals are questionable, and the outcome is usually messy. Simon Maltman delivers a masterclass in modern noir, blending razor-sharp crime fiction with a dark, cynical wit that cuts right to the bone. This collection contains conflicted grifters, serial killer grifters, zombie grifters, and even Donald Trump. Link to tie-in album: https://distrokid.com/ hyperfollow/simonmaltman/ short-grift “An excellent author of crime fiction… if this soundtrack is anything to go by the stories should be superb.” Andy Cairns Therapy? Recent Praise: “A One Man Crime-Wave” The Sunday World “Maltman executes a pitch-perfect crime thriller.” Bristol Noir “A terrifically gritty thriller.” Jo Spain “Lean prose, fast paced action and stout black humour” Brian McGilloway Simon Ma...

  So, I thought I’d share how I converted the garage in my new house. There’s a lot of people out there wanting to do something similar and this is how I did mine on a budget. For my project it was how to convert a dank, old little garage for music and writing.  This is how it was…  Once cleared, it had a lovely torture chamber vibe… I didn’t have any power out there, so first thing was to get the electrics started. Then I got a joiner to batton out and layer aluminium insulation throughout the walls and ceiling, beginning the ‘room within a room,’ leaving an air gap.    After that, OSB board was put over the top. I needed a new side door installed and they removed the shutter, replacing it with all that the walls had done, plus extra insulation, and a PVC finish on the outside.  This to this…  Once all that was done I added some cheap internal soundproofing and as many things that would deaden the sound further and break up the sound waves as possible...

‘A  Docu -drama about a murder.  And the killer’s in the cast.’   Like thriller books?? Like true crime docs??  My new book is out now on ebook and paperback! Santa asked us to get it out before Christmas. I’m really pleased with the novel and what Red Dragon have done with it. You can get your copy here-  Amazon Here’s a little bit about it- ‘A  Docu -drama about a murder. And the killer’s in the cast.’   Jessica, an  up and coming  young director is helming her first full documentary. It focuses on the story of a young girl, murdered fifteen years before in New York. The girl’s father was convicted and has been in prison ever since. But he’s innocent. Joe killed her. Joe’s  killed a lot of people. When Joe sees the call for amateur actors to join the cast, he has an idea. Joe gets lots of ideas. That’s how he’s survived this long. But this time, has he gone too far? As always, I appreciate the support. Happy New Year eve...

Here's a reading and a bit of chat about my new book... You can order THE MARK  HERE Paperback £7.99 Ebook £2.99

This week- the governor! ... Raymond Chandler Watch on UTV  HERE Order The Mark  HERE

The next few episodes I’m going to focus on the greats of American Crime Fiction- this week one of my all time favourites,  Richard Stark (Donald E Westlake) Watch on UTV  HERE Order  HERE

This week on my UTV Bunker Book Review I'm doing a special feature on 'Ulster Noir' classic, Silver's City by Maurice Leitch Watch Here Order Here

This week we have local authors including Colin Bateman  and Catriona King.  Watch Here Order Here

I've 3 more terrific local reads for you this week.  This time I'm looking at books from Brian McGilloway, Claire McGowan and Stuart Neville. Watch Video Pre-Order Here

I’ve got three more cracking reads for you this week by another 3 great local writers. There are longer and more detailed written reviews down below. You Can Order My New Book Here The Chain Adrian McKinty It would be hard to have missed the buzz surrounding this book. It's taken the book world by storm, very justifiably. The concept of the only way of saving your kidnapped child is to kidnap another one is brilliant. It sets up a really pacy read by one of our top authors. The Terror Trilogy James Murphy James Murphy's debut is a confident stride into the world of 'Ulster Noir.' It is a complex mystery, with a nicely conceived assembly of interesting characters. The hook of a serial killer at large named Terror, using social media as his greatest weapon works well. There's lots to enjoy here and I look forward to the recently released sequel. Little Bird Sharon Dempsey This is an excellent serial killer...

It was great craic to be part of the Noireland festival this year, taking Crime Fiction fans on our Belfast Noir tour. Great to have people along not only from various parts of the UK, but the likes of USA and Germany too. The festival had a great atmosphere about it and was a really class weekend. Last week I had a Tourist Board tour, taking international buyers on Belfast Noir too. I love introducing people to Belfast and in particular to writers who they haven't read before. Finishing  up in No Alibis Bookstore is always a great way to end, so folk can have a good old riffle through some awesome books. I've found it's really true that writers aren't competitive with one another, and like nothing more than bigging up other authors  that they enjoy- and that's certainly how I feel. The local scene really is thriving. What about talking about our own books?  It's a well discussed contradiction that introverted writers have to get out there and...

Rain Dogs This was the second McKinty I had read and both are part of the Sean Duffy series. First thing to say is- I'm hooked! Sean Duffy is a Northern Irish detective, working during The Troubles in the 1980's. There are of course a gazillion modern police procedurals out there to choose from. I generally prefer other forms of crime fiction or even a PI opposed to an actual police officer story as a personal preference. I only enjoy the ones that really grab me and the Sean Duffy series certainly has! The last series to do so was Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole. This installment includes a locked room murder, conspiracy, lots of music references, Northern Irish settings and international intrigue. My recent novel included a locked room mystery, conspiracy, lots of music references, Northern Irish settings and international intrigue. I honestly hadn't read any McKinty before that and mine is nowhere near as good! Northern Irish crime fiction has so much great stuff go...

Below are samples from each of my Bongo Fury books.  Currently book 1 is 99p and Book 2 is £1.99. Bongo Fury Chapter 1 So, first thing’s first; I didn’t expect things to get as fucked up as they did. But it happens, so that’s life I suppose. I just don’t want people getting the wrong impression about me. I’m not just some hard-nut wanker who came out of the estates. Yeah, I’m a Prod, from an estate in Northern Ireland- but that doesn’t define me. I’ve got a fucking literature degree- I’ve read Mansfield Park- okay? I actually quite liked it too. Anyway, I suppose I’d better go back to the start. Two years ago, life was pretty normal. If you’re reading this, then I suppose you already know I’m Jimmy Black, I’m forty two and I come from Ards in Northern Ireland. You’re bound to have read about me in the tabloids. I’m the one covered in tats, pretty well built, short black hair, and I admit not the prettiest you’ll see in the papers. If you’ve never heard of Ards...

Procrastination Demon or a Creative Break?  When is it a good thing to be stepping back and having a change of scene and when is it just procrastinating? This isn't a self-help blog- I  don't know!  At the moment I'm doing anything to avoid a second round of drafting of a novel. I've been doing promo instead, working on new ideas, starting this blog etc. Maybe it's a good thing- a chance to give perspective. I often switch to music for a while too if I've been doing a large amount of daily writing. Sometimes that's definitely a help and when you write again- the fun is back. Because that's why we do it -right? But when does it become procrastination? What do you think? I'm off to weed the garden...